Actuating linkage for folding doors



April 16, 1968 J. c. YOUNG 3,378,059

ACTUATING LINKAGE FOR FOLDING DOORS ATTORNEYS April 16, 1968 J. c. YOUNG3,378,059

ACTUATING LINKAGE FOR FOLDING DOORS Filed Deo. 7, 1966 4 Sheets-SheetINV ENTOR .M/ O /MM ATTORNEYS April 16, 1968 J. c. YOUNG 3,378,059

ACTUATING LINKAGE FOR FOLDING DOORS Filed Dec. 7, 1966 4 Sheets-Sheet IN VENTOR a MMMQQ/Mnm ATTORNEYS April 16, 1968 J. c. YOUNG ACTUATINGLINKAGE FOR FOLDING DOORS 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 Filed Deo. 7, 1966 INVENT ORBY l M /iXTTORNE United States Patent O 3,378,659 ACTUATING LINKAGE FORFOLDING DGRS .lohn C. Young, Reedsvilie, Pa., assignor to Vertex, inc.,a corporation of Pennsylvania Filed Dec. 7, 1966, Ser. No. 599,847 7Claims. (Ci. 16o-165) ABSTRACT F THE DISCLGSURE The invention isdirected to apparatus which is useful for linking door panels togetherfor actuating a folding and unfolding of the panels in a sequentialpattern of graduated movements. The apparatus is applicable to foldingdoors which fold in accordion fashion to be stacked over doorways, andsuch doors are used in large buildings, garages, and the like. Thepreferred sequence of movement for opening the door of this inventionincludes an initial folding of an uppermost pair of panels, which inturn causes graduated folding movements of intermediate pairs of panelsand of a lowermost pair of panels. Linkage members are interconnectedbetween edges of the panels, and the linkage members are guided alongtracks located in a door frame which assists in the control of thefolding sequence of the door panels. Further, the linking membersinclude an uppermost linking arm which automatically swings theuppermost panel of a door assembly out of a vertical position when theassembly is lifted, and this causes a chain-reaction folding of allpanels of the door assembly.

Brief description of invention This invention relates to an improvedmechanism for actuating overhead folding doors of the type having aplurality of panels which can be folded relative to one another in anaccordion fashion. ln particular, the invention relates to an improvedlinkage mechanism which causes a series of door panels to besequentially moved into folded and unfolded relationships in accordancewith a requirement to open or close a door opening.

Folding doors having a plurality of panels hinged to one another forstacking or folding in an overhead relationship to a door opening areknown in the art, and various devices have been utilized for folding andunfolding such doors to effect an opening and losing of a doorway. Priormechanisms have been relatively complex, and have most often requiredcomplex counterweight and spring devices for effecting a proper foldingand unfolding of adjacent vhinged panels in such door structures. Also,it has been proposed, as shown in the Young et al. Patents 2,952,311 and2,952,312 to actuate the opening and closing of horizontally slidingdoors by means of a lazy tong mechanism which moves adjoining panelsinto stacked positions at one side of a doorway. Of course, the lattertype of construction is quite different from the requirements of anoverhead folding door structure, but the sliding door arrangement ismentioned as an indication of prior art attempts to actuate doorstructures generally. Also, prior art attempts have been largelydirected to pivoting door panels about central axes through the lengthsof the panels, and no constructions have been successful in providingfor a controlled folding of a series 3,378,659 Patented Apr. 16, 1968ICC of panels about axes along the edges of the panels. The latterarrangement is especially important for overhead door assemblies.

The present invention provides for an improved meehanism which isespecially useful for actuating an overread door structure which is madeup of a series of hinged panels which can be stacked in an overheadposition relative to a door opening. When it is desired to close andseal off the door opening, the stacked panels are unfolded so as tobecome coextensively arranged in a vertical plane with no overlapping ofadjoining edges of adioining panels. The actuating mechanism of thisinvention utilizes a type of lazy tong linkage arrangement, however, thelinkages are arranged in a novel manner and in such a way as to resultin a novel cam action which determines the sequence of folding andunfolding for a plurality of panels making up a complete door. Thelinkages of the present invention which arel associated with theseparate panels of a door are arranged in a modied lazy tongconfiguration wherein the linkages themselves and the edges of separatedoor panels make up the configuration. Further, the so-called lazy tongarrangement is such that a true parallelogram connguration is notformed, and therefore it is possible to obtain a continuous andnon-overlapping alignment of all of the door panels when they are movedto a position which closes the doorway with which the door panels areassociated.

In order to obtain a perfectly straight, and non-overlapping,relationship of adjoining panels when a door assembly is extended to afully closed position, two separate linear paths of movement areprovided along an upright edge of the doorway for separately controllingthe folding and unfolding movements of door panels and of linkagesassociated with the panels. All of the linkage members are guided by afirst guiding means for all folding and unfolding movements, and all ofthe door panels are guided by a second guiding means for thecorresponding movements, and the two guiding means are arranged so as tocause a novel action which determines a sequence of folding andunfolding movements for the entire door assembly.

The invention also provides for a novel mechanism associated with anupper panel of a folding door structure wherein the upper panel isinitially moved to begin a folding movement for all of the remainingpanels of the door assembly. This arrangement permits the door panels ofan assembly to be stacked over a doorway in a preferred sequence or rateof oldinl7 wherein the uppermost panels are initially folded at a fasterrate than the lowermost panels of the assembly. This is a desiredarrangement for overhead folding doors, such as might be used as garagedoors, because it is preferred to have the lowermost panels remain in asubstantially unfolded condition for as long as possible when a door isbeing lifted for ope. ing so as to avoid inter erence with nearbyobjects or persons. Thus, the invention provides for an overhead dooractuating mechanism which is safer in its operation, and which, becauseof its simplicity in construction, is reliable and easily manufactured.

Thes and other features of the invention will be discused in detailbelow with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:

FIGURE 1 is a back plan view of a door assembly in a fully closedposition in a doorway wherein the assembly is made up of three pair ofpanels hinged together at adjoining edges on horizontal axes;

FIGURE 2 is a side elevational view of the door assembly taken at lines2 2 of FIGURE l, and illustrating a linkage mechanism associated withthe separate door panels when the door assembly is in a fully extendedand closed position;

FIGURE 3 is a sirniiar view to FGURE 2 and showing the reltaionships oflinkage members and door panels when the door assembly is moved upwardlyfor a short distance to initiate a folding and stacking of separatepanels in an overhead position relative to the doorway;

FIGURE 4 illustrates the fully stacked position for all door panels, andthe linking members are shown in greater detail as related to the fullystacked panels;

FGURE 5 is a horizontal cross section of a double track means associatedwith the door assembly for guiding and controlling the sequentialfolding of separate pairs of panels of the assembly;

FIGURE 6 is a `detailed illustration of a connection between two linkingmembers when their associated door panels are in fully extended, closedpositions;

FIGURE 7 is a similar view to FIGURE 6, but showthe relationship of twolinking members when a folding movement of the door panels is initiated;

FIGURE 8 illustrates a further progression from the views of FIGURES 6and 7; and

FIGURE 9 is a detailed illusration of an actuating arm means associatedwith the upper end of the door assembly.

Detailed description of invention Referring to FIGURE l, a typical doorassembly of this inevntion is illustrated in a fully closed position tocover or seal off a doorway in a building. Such a door assembly may beutilized as an overhead door in a garage, or as an overhead door in anybuilding opening which requires a relatively large -doorway to be openedand closed. The door assembly of FlGURE l is illustrated as being madeup of three pairs of panels 1G, I2 and 14, and individual panels arehinged to adjacent panels on horizontal axes by any well-known hingingmeans such as the hinges 16. The panels are arranged in pairs so thateach pair is made up of two single panels having a common hinge axiswhich permits folding movement of the pair of panels in one directiononly, while adjoining pairs of panels have common hinge axes whichpermit a folding of the adjoining pairs in opposite directions from thatpermitted for the panels within the first pair. Thus, the panels of theentire assembly are permitted to fold back and forth in a zigzagrelationship so that they can be stacked in accordion fashion when theyare folded to open the doorway in which they are mounted.

The entire door assembly is positioned between upright jamb members 18of a doorway, and the assembly is held in position relative to thedoorwary by upright guiding means which carry roller or bearing devicesZtl associated with edges of the separate panels and with linkingmembers 22 of the door assembly. The detailed structure of the guidingmeans and of the linking members which are controlled thereby will bediscussed below, but generally, the linking members function to hold thepanels of the door assembly in a desired sequential relationship to oneanother for all folded and unfolded positions. Also, rollers areassociated with the door panels to guide the door assembly within thedoor opening so as to maintain the door assembly within the doorway.

FIGURES 2 and 3 illustrate side elevational views of linking members 22which are associated with the edges of separate door panels to controlthe folding and unfolding of the panels relative to one another when thedoor assembly is lifted or lowered for opening or closing a doorway. Inthe illustrations of FIGURES 2 and 3, the panels are shown in full endview so that their upright edges are seen as related to the linkagemembers associated with the door essembly. FIGURE 2 shows the doorassembly in a fully extended or closed position wherein all separatepanels are aligned coextensively with their adjoininG edges face to faceand without any overlapping between adjoining panels. This type of fullyextended relationship is required for relatively large door assemblieswhich are used to seal buildings, and of course, it is understood thatwell known sealing means may be utilized in combination with theassembly to provide for a tight closure between adjoining panels andbetween the assembly and a doorway in which it is installed. FIGURE 2also illustrates the positions of linking members associated with eachpanel and with each other in a special arrangement wherein the linkingmembers cooperate wtih the separate panels to form a modifiedparrallelogram (that is, an untrue parallelogram) configuration when theassembly is seen from a side elevational View. All linking members 22.and 23 are interconnected with each other to form a first zigzagconfiguration while all door panels are interconnected to form a secondzigzag configuration when the assembly is folded. The two configurationsare offset from each other and cross one another, as shown, with eachlinking member 22 being connected at an intermediate point to an edge ofa door panel. The linking members 23 are made up of two separateelements which are pivotally connected to each other and to an edge of adoor panel, as shown. The relationships between the linking members andthe door panels is determined, in part, by separate vertical guidetracks positioned alongside the doorway for receiving roller bearingsassociated with the linking members and with the door panels. As will beexplained, the guide tracks provide separate linear paths of movementfor the linking members and for the door panels so as to dictate theseparate folding movements of the linking members and of the panels. Theillustrated sequence of movement for upper panels as compared to lowerpanels of a door assembly is preferred for overhead doors which areinstalled in large buildings or garages and where it is desirable toprevent an extreme folding of lower panels until those panels have movedout of the way into positions above the doorway. Such overhead doors maybe manually lifted as by a handle, and alternatively, a liftingmechanism may be provided in the form of a motor with a cable wind-upwhich serves to apply a lifting force to the door assembly. In eithercase, it is desirable to minimize outward folding movements of thelowermost panels because such movements would interfere with nearbyobjects or persons standing near the door assembly. With the graduatedsequence illustrated in FIGURE 3, it is apparent that the uppermostpanels begin their folding movements before the lower panels begin tofold completely. The graduated sequence continues as the door assemblyis lifted for opening, but the lowermost pair of panels 14 `catch upwith folding positions of the uppermost pair when all panels are relatedto one another at approximately 90, and then all panels continue to foldat the same rate until fully stacked.

The initial folding movements are determined by a lifting action on'theentire assembly together with a swinging action which is provided by anovel actuating arm 30 associated with the upper panel of the assembly.Referring to FIGURES 4 and 9, the actuating arm is mounted at an upperend of the guide tracks associated with the doorway, and the actuatingarm is mounted at 32 to pivot about a fixed axis which will determinethe initial movements of the entire assembly. The uppermost panel of theentire assembly carries a sleeve member 34 which is constructed toreceive the actuating arm 30. Bearing devices may be included betweenthe actuating arm 30 and the sleeve member 34 to assure an easy slidingmovement between the two members, and the sleeve or sliding member ispositioned to engage the arm 3i) for all open and closed positions ofthe door assembly. For a six panel door, the sleeve member is rigidlysecured to au edge of the uppermost panel, as shown; but for a ve paneldoor the sleeve member may be pivotally attached to the uppermost panelof the assembly. When the closed door assembly is initially lifted foropening, the top panel carries the sliding member 34 along with it, andthe member is thus caused to slide along the actuating arm 36. However,the uppermost panel carries a bearing means 36 at its upper edge andwhich is located in a track which is onset from the pivotal mountingpoint of the arm 30, and lifting movements cause the arm to be swung inthe direction shown in FiG'URES 3 and 9. It will be appreciated that theupward movement of the uppermost panel and its sliding member in thetrack 4.2 applies a thrust to the arm 30 so as to pivot it about itsfixed mounting point 32. As the entire door assembly continues in itsupward lifting movement, the arm 3i) likewise continues in its swingingmovement until it reaches the nearly horizontal position shown in FIGURE4. Of course, pivotal movement of the arm 39 carries with it theuppermost panel because of the connection of the sliding member 34 withthe arm 38. Thus, the arm 30 functions to initially break the uppermostpair of panels l and to begin folding moverients for the remainingpanels of the door assembly. The arm further functions to continue thefolding movement of the upper pair of panels l) .until they are fullyfolded or stacked relative to one another. The bearing 36 has beendescribed as being guided by a track, and the track may be an extensionof a track means associated with all remaining panels of the assembly.Tracks 40 and 42 are arranged along either or both sides of the doorwayin which the assembly is installed, and FIGURE 5 illustrates in crosssection a typical extrusion for a double track system of the typecontemplated by this invention.

When the initial folding movement of the upper pair of panels l() isinitiated, as determined by the actuating arm 3B discussed above, theremaining pairs of panels are caused to begin their respective graduatedfolding movements from the top to the bottom of the door assembly. Thegraduated sequence of folding movements for the remaining panels isdetermined by .the novel arrangement of linking members 22 and 23 beingguided and controlled to maintain a predetermined relationship betweenadjoining panels which are being folded or unfolded. As can be seen inFIGURES 2 and 3, each linking member 22 or 23 is mounted to contact onepanel of the door assembly and to be pivotally linked with an adjoininglinking member. In this sense each linking member 22 and 23 functions asa single member interconnecting adjoining linking members Vto form azigzag configuration, however, it is to be understood that the linkingmembers 23 are made up of two elements which are pivotally connected atthe point where they are connected to the edge of a door (asillustrated), and this feature permits a limited amount of flexing ofthe linking members to avoid a binding of the members in theirrelationship to the door panels. The linking members and door panelsconnected thereby are arranged in a modified lazy tong confurationwherein linking members 22 and 23 make up one part of the configurationwhile the door panels themselves make up a second part of the modifiedlazy tong conguration. When the upper pair of panels 1G begin theirfolding movement for opening the door assembly, a short linking member44 is caused to be carried inwardly away from the lower panel of thepair to actuate a linking member 22 which is connected at 46 to theshort member 44. The actuated member 22 then carries an upper panel otthe pair 12 inwardly away from a vertical plane so as to initiatefolding movements for the pair of panels 12 and all remaining panels ofthe assembly. The actuated linking member 22 is pivotally connected tothe upper panel of the pair 12 `and is also connected to a loweradjoining linking member 23, as shown. The adjoining linking member 23also includes a roller bearing at its point of connection 48 with thelinking member 22, and

the roller bearing is confined within and guided by the first verticaltrack 40. This pattern of assembly is continued for the entire doorassembly and for as many pairs of panels as may be desired. Each of thepanels making up the entire assembly includes at least one edge which isguided by the second track 42 while each of the linking members 23making up the assembly includes one end portion which is guided -by theiirst track dll. The two tracks 40 and 42 are odset relative to oneanother and this offset arrangement provides for a novel cam action ofthe linking members and of the door panels relative to one another. Eachset of linking members is made up of one member 22 (formed as a singleelement) and one member 23 (formed from two elements).

The FIGURES 6 through 8 illustrate a sequence of pivotal movementsbetween adjoining linking memers 22 and 23 as a door assembly is movedfrom a fully closed (unfolded) position to a fully opened (folded orstacked) position. Also, the FIGURES 6 through 8 illustrate a specialconstruction of adjoining linking members 22 and 23 at their points ofconnection to provide for a limited linear movement of adjoining membersin addition to the desired pivotal movement of the members relative toeach other. One purpose in providing limited linear movement betweenlinking members is to compensate for a slight eX- pansion of distancebetween rollers Ztl of each pair of panels which takes place when thepairs of panels are moved from fully closed to partially openedpositions. The expansion of distance is a result of the hinge axisbetween each panel of a pair moving through and past the guide trackaxis for the rollers 20. ln the FGURE 6 view, it can be seen that thelinking members 22 and 23 are in nearly vertical positions, and this isthe position of adjoining linking members when the door panels of anassembly are in completely vertical and aligned positions. It should benoted that by maintaining the linking members in incomplete alignmentwhen the door is fully closed, the members are in positions forimmediate pivotal movements in ythe proper direction and without anybinding when the door is opened. Also, the linking mechanism of thisinvention provides for a substantial locking of all panels absent anyvertical movement of the upper pair. The linking members 22 and 23 areinterconnected by a connecting pin 5d which is, in turn, connected .to aroller or bearing member 2d. The roller 2i) is of any conventionalconstruction, and may be in the form of a ball bearing having a nylontire, thus having a relatively low friction mounting on the end of thepin 50. The roller 20 for linking members is carried for verticalmovements within the track 4t), and of course, it is understood thatvertical movements ofthe roller are determined by forces applied to thelinking members 22 and 23. The lower linking member 23 of the twomembers illustrated in FIGURE 6 includes a point of connection for thepin 50, and the point of connection is a tiXed pivotal point for thelower linking member and the pin S0. The upper linking member 22 of thetwo members illustrated in FIGURE 6 includes an elongate slot 54 whichpermits the pin Si) to move in a limited linear direction relative tothe upper linking member 22. Thus, there is provided a pivotalconnection between the two illustrated linking members wherein the pointof connection can be moved in a linear direction for a limited distancerelative to one of the linking members. The purpose in providing thelimited movement between adjoining linking members is to allow forexpansion of adjoining door panels in a pair as folding movementprogresses from a fully closed to a partially opened position. Also,limited movement between linking members accommodates the offset trackarrangement and the non-parallelogram configuration which is formed as adesired part of this invention. In the position shown in FIGURE 6, thedoor is in a fully closed position, and no opening movements have beeninitiated for the panels connected to the illustrated linking members.

ating arm 30 is used to initiate the folding of a pair of 10 panels 10,there is a pivotal movement of the associated upper linking member 22about the axis of the pin 50. This pivotal movement takes place at thesame time that the roller 20 is being moved upwardly in the track 40,and if the pivot point of the pin were fixed, the lower adjoininglinking member 22 would be folded at the same rate as the upper member.This would be a result of a parallelogram type of linkage between thelinking members and the door panels. However, the pivotal connection ofthe pin 50 between linking members is not fixed, and therefore, theroller 2t) does not move upwardly as rapidly as it would with a fixedpivotal connection between the linking members. As is apparent inFIGURES 7 and 8, the roller and pin are permitted to ride downwardly inthe elongate slot 54 of the upper linking member 22, and this relativemovement between linking members retards the upward rate of movement forany given roller 20. This relationship between linking members causeslower panels of a door assembly to initially fold at a graduated rateand at a rate which is slower than the folding rate of the upper panels.Then, as the pins S approach lower limits of the slots 54 the foldingrate of the lower panels catches up with the upper panel folding rate.When the pins reach the lower limits of the slots, all panels are inapproximate 90 positions relative to one another, and from there, allpanels fold at the same rate until stacked. In the final stackedposition, all of the folded panels and associated linking members arestacked as shown in FIG- URE 4, and that figure also illustrates atypical installation which includes a winding drum 60, under springtension, and a cable 62 for lifting and balancing the weight of the doorpanels when the door is to be stacked over a doorway. The drum 66includes varying diameter cable receiving portions for changing themechanical advantage of the drum as the door is lifted, and any wellknown construction may be used for this purpose.

Having described the constructional features of this invention, it isapparent that the improved linking system provides for a novel actuationof a folding door assembly, and the described linking system andactuating means I is easily constructed and is reliable in itsoperation. The linking members may be made of any suitable metalmaterial, and may be in the form of elongate bands of metal which can-be overlapped, as shown, or any other suitable means may be utilizedfor linking adjoining members together. The linking members areillustrated as being pivotally connected to intermediate points of adoor, and this connection maybe made directly into an exposed edge ofthe door, or a separate mounting bracket and connection means may beutilized. Also, the actuating arm 30 has been described as beingreceived by a sliding member 34 and this arrangement contemplates astructure wherein the arm may slide within the sliding member, or viceversa.

For heavier doors, a further auxiliary link member 70 may :be connectedbetween the two uppermost panels to provide additional strength to thelinkage system.

Although the invention has been described with primary emphasis onoverhead folding door assemblies, it is contemplated that the describedinvention may also be used for folding door arrangements whereinseparate panels are folded and stacked laterally to one side of a dooropening.

Variations in the described structure will become apparent to thoseskilled in the art, and such variations are intended to be includedwithin the scope of this invention.

What is claimed is:

1. In .a folding overhead door assembly of the type wherein panels arehinged together in pairs for being folded on their hinge axes andwherein adjoining pairs of panels are hinged together to be folded ontheir hinge axes in opposite directions from the folding of panelswithin a pair, the improvement in a linking mechanism for controllingthe sequence of folding movements for the assembly compris-ing:

linking members pivotally connected to one -another at their ends andincluding first bearing means at their points of connection for beingguided in a rst track, said linking members being further pivotallyconnected at intermediate points along their lengths to separate doorpanels of the said assembly, the linking members and separate doorpanels being arranged in separate paths which can be folded in accordionfashion in opposite directions from each other at given levels of theassembly,

second bearing means connected to upper and lower edges of each pair offolding panels for being guided in a second track means,

first' and second track means vertically positioned along 4a doorway inwhich the assembly is installed, said rst and second tracks definingseparate parallel paths of movement for said first and second bearingmembers associated respectively with the linking members and with thepanels of the assembly, and

means yassociated with the pivotal connections of the linking members toeach other for permitting a limited linear movement of each linkingmember relative to an adjoining and connected linking member, wherebywhen foldin-g movements are initiated in an uppermost pair of panels forthe assembly corresponding folding movements for lower pairs of panelsare initially started at a graduated and slower rate than for theuppermost pair.

2. The improvement of claim 1 and including an actuating arm means forinitiating a folding movement of an upper pair of panels of saidassembly when thek door is opened, said actuating arm means comprising:

an arm which is connected to a portion of the doorway for Xed pivotalmovement relative thereto, the point of pivotal movement beingvertically offset from said second track means,

a sliding member fixed to an uppermost panel of the door assembly forengaging and sliding along said arm, and

a roller bearing means connected to an upper edge of said uppermostpanel for being guided by said second track and for swinging the armabout said fixed pivotal point when the door assembly is initiallylifted for opening the doorway, thereby causing the upper pair of panelsto be initially swung into a folding movement when the assembly islifted.

3. The improvement of claim 1 wherein said last named means compriseelongate slots formed in the ends of certain linking members forreceiving a pin means connected to adjoining linking members.

4. The improvement of claim 3 wherein each said pin means is alsoconnected to each of said lirst bearing means.

5. The improvement of claim 1 wherein said first and second track meansare arranged side by side along an upright jamb portion of the doorway.

6. The improvement of claim 1 wherein said linking members compriserelatively at, elongate members which overlap each other at their pointsof connection with each other, and wherein the separate linking membersare Aconnected to vertical edges of said door panels.

7. The improvement of claim 6 wherein said linking members are made upof sets of two members and wherein each set of linking members includes:

a first linking member made up of a Ysingle element 9 l@ which extendsbetween terminal ends of adjoining References Cited linking members, andwith a midpoint of said rst UNITED STATES PATENTS member pivotallyconnected to the edge of a door pand, 702,146 6/1902 McCloud 16o- 165 Xsecond linking member made up of a pair of ele- 5 1,495,589 5/1924 Homan15G- 165 X ments, with one of said elements extending between 1,512,09210/1924 HOffman 160-165 X an adjoining first linking member and an edgeof a 1,892,340 12/ 1932 Guth 160-165 X door panel, and with a second ofsaid elements fur- 1 ther extending between the edge of the door panelDAVD J- WLLIAMOWSKY, Plmafy Examine"- and another adjoining linkingmember. 10 PETER M. CAUN, Exam-en

